Lifeline helps those who have health and medical problems remain safely in their homes by providing a medical alert security system. The local Altrusa club has been operating the system for over 25 years.

Altrusa of Montrose also received a Wells Fargo grant and an Altrusa International Foundation Grant specifically for Lifeline, for a combined total of over $8,600. With these grants, along with funds budgeted by the club, Altrusa can now replace about one-quarter of the older Lifeline units which are being phased out by the manufacturer.

A group of students working with teachers and administrators raised over $500 with a "Freestyle" fundraiser, and have collected over $100 worth of pennies to donate to "Pennies for Peace," a program of the non-profit organization, Central Asia Institute.

The group hopes to raise awareness of the work being done in the remote mountainous regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan to build schools in villages where none exist, and to train local people as teachers. Central Asia Institute has built 64 such schools in the area since it began in 1996, and has provided education to over 24,000 students, with an emphasis on girls' education.

The Montrose High School group has several additional fundraisers planned, and the students in the group hope to reach out to younger pupils by giving presentations in elementary and secondary school classes.

Altrusa provided a jar containing over $22 worth of pennies to the high school group, which was the first organization in Montrose to officially sign up for the "Pennies for Peace" (P4P) drive. In addition to the $660 raised at the P4P kickoff event, individual Altrusan donors have contributed another $120 to Central Asia Institute to date.

Altrusa of Montrose is pleased to announce the theme of this year's annual Spring Luncheon is "All Around the World!" The Luncheon will take place on Saturday, March 29, 2008.

This year's event promises to be another fun, festive, and flavorsome affair. Table viewing and a Vendor Fair will run from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Altrusans and other creative folks will have set and decorated a number of tables based on the international theme of the event. (For some photos of tables from last year's event, click here). Vendors offer such items as jewelry, crafts, and gourmet foods.

Luncheon seating will be at 11:30 AM, and the menu this year is also international in flavor.

Our guest speaker is Enda Junkins, MSW, LCSW, LMFT. Enda will get us all laughing with her presentation, "Reducing Stress with Humor."

Attendees will also be treated to a fashion show, a live auction, and door prizes.

Tickets are $30, and available starting February 15 by mail only. Send check or money order, a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and the Attendee's name for each ticket ordered to:Altrusa LuncheonPO Box 3184Montrose, CO 81402

Funds raised at the luncheon support our many projects and make a real difference in our community. Altrusa International of Montrose Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 foundation.

Yes, it's getting to be that time of year again when our thoughts turn to spring (if only the snow would melt!) and spring colors begin to show. Here in Montrose, the earliest signs of spring are PINK! As in PINK Flamingos. That's right -- it's time to start thinking of friends and foes who deserve to have their lawns flocked with our pink-feathered (well, plastic actually) friends, and all for a good cause.*

Flamingo Flockings may be scheduled starting in late February, and the birds will be hanging around our lovely valley for about 2 months. However, ASTRA is offering special Valentine's Flockings (Flamingos + Chocolate!) to Altrusans only on a very limited basis. Call Carol Parker or Judy Snedeker for details.

We learned that Flamingos (and ASTRA members holding flamingos) can make quite a bit of noise. Here's what flamingos really sound like (scroll down the page to listen to their call). The girls telling about the Flockings did a fine imitation of flamingos during their presentation.

The ASTRA club will also be doing a special flocking for a local child with leukemia to kick off their official fundraising event.

* All funds raised by Flamingos for Friends & Foes will be used for ASTRA local and international service projects. ASTRA is the Youth Service Club of Altrusa International of Montrose, and is a Montrose High School club.